Skip to the main content.
FAQs

Frequently asked questions.

Videos

Instructional videos about Horizon and working with our solutions.

Downloads

Helpful downloads and eBooks to empower your business.

Tax & HR Alerts

Helpful tax and HR alerts to help keep your business compliant.

Forms & Documents

Payroll and tax-related forms and documents.

Blog

Horizon's blog provides valuable insight into payroll, compliance, human resources, and more.

Success Stories

See our client success stories for a case study on how we can help your business.

Featured blog post

How Long Should Employee Onboarding Take

Featured blog post

Tips For Success With Seasonal Employees

Our Team

Payroll and HR strategy requires intelligent technology, personal attention and specialized expertise in the needs and nuances of your business. 

Clients & Industries

We provide payroll and tax processing services for businesses from 1 to 1,000 employees or more. Today, we have nearly 1,000 customers in 40 states.

Ask the Expert: How Do I Create An Employee Manual?

reading-99243_640.png

Great question. And you may ask Why Bother?

Let's answer the "Why Bother" part first.

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) defines an employee manual, or handbook, as "an important communication tool between you and your employees. A well-written handbook sets forth your expectations for your employees, and describes what they can expect from your company. It also should describe your legal obligations as an employer, and your employees' rights."

So, the employee manual not only helps your employees learn what's expected, but it protects you from legal problems that can arise due to ambiguous rules. 

So, where and how do you get started? 

First, decide what you need outlined in your manual and write it in a draft. The SBA recommends that you include the following:

  • Non-disclosure agreements and/or conflict of interest statements
  • Anti-discrimination policies
  • Compensation
  • Work schedules/leave
  • Standards of conduct
  • Safety and security
  • Computer/electronic device protocol (including social media)
  • Other pertinent information (unions, termination/resignation procedures, probationary periods, employee records, etc.)

The Society for Human Resource Management offers some guidance for next steps (and a handbook template): 

"All new employee handbooks should be reviewed by your legal counsel for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and should be modified to suit your organization’s culture, industry and practices."

Once your handbook is finalized, be sure all employees read it and sign a statement saying they've understood it. Do the same for all subsequent updates. 

 

Want more advice like this? Click below to get a demo of our HR On-Demand.